Toast Shop Charging 100,000 Won per Place Value... Excessive Commercialism or Owner's Intention?

Controversy Over Charging Seat Fees to Group Customers at an 'Isaac Toast' Store in Seoul
Store Owner: "Loss if We Don't Charge... Only Requested for Use Over 1 Hour 30 Minutes"
Customers: "It's a Snack Place, Too Much", Headquarters: "No Rules to Prohibit"

Isaac Toast store. Unrelated to the article content. Photo by Isaac Toast website

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] It is very difficult for the owner when a group of customers enters a small store selling toast and stays for a long time. But is it reasonable to ask customers to pay a 'seat fee'? What if the food costs only about 3,000 won but the seat fee is 100,000 won? A dispute has arisen between the owner of a toast shop in Seoul who wants to charge a seat fee and customers who find it absurd, drawing attention.

A store owner operating an Issac Toast branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul, charges 100,000 won as a seat fee when a group of 10 or more customers stays in the store for more than 1 hour and 30 minutes. The owner said in a phone interview on the 4th, "If a group occupies the seats for a long time, we cannot accommodate other customers, so we have no choice but to inform them this way." He added, "In fact, some customers have even asked in advance if they could pay the seat fee and stay longer."

However, customers have different opinions. Mr. A, who visited the store and ended up paying the 100,000 won seat fee, said, "There was no suitable place nearby for our gathering, so we had no choice but to pay, but charging a seat fee dozens of times higher than the product price is excessive," expressing frustration. Another consumer, Mr. B, said, "If there had been any notice about time limits like other cafes or restaurants, I would have complied, but suddenly demanding a seat fee was absurd," adding, "I have never seen such rip-off charges even at stores near large festivals or events."

Their complaints were eventually forwarded to the Korea Consumer Agency. A representative of the agency said, "There is no guideline under consumer protection laws that prohibits charging a seat fee, so it is difficult to proceed with corrective measures," and added, "Selling goods at a high price is the seller's prerogative, and it is the decision of the individual business owner."

The Issac Toast headquarters is also in a difficult position. A representative said, "There are no specific regulations that the headquarters can enforce," but added, "Since consumer complaints have been received, it seems necessary to provide education and guidance to the store owner and then take corrective actions."

According to the Franchise Association, the franchisee is an individual business owner, and the store is private property, so even the headquarters cannot forcibly change the franchisee's pricing policies. However, the association warned that the franchisee's sudden actions could lead to dissatisfaction with the Issac Toast brand and potentially harm other franchise stores.

The products sold by Issac Toast are known as 'cost-effective convenience meals' and 'national snacks' due to their affordable prices. More than 800 franchise stores operate nationwide. The cheapest item, 'Ham Cheese,' costs 2,800 won, and the most expensive, 'Bacon Potato Pizza,' is around 4,700 won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.